Munchkins Nursery

Munchkins Nursery Unit 1, Canal Court Business Centre, CARLISLE, Cumbria, CA2 7AN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22 November 2016 10 December 2012

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The nursery has effective leadership and management. There is a strong team spirit and reflective practice is well embedded throughout the staff team. The manager is committed and ambitious for the success of the nursery. She monitors the quality of the provision well and identifies areas for further improvement.  Staff engage well with children to support their communication skills. They provide a good narrative for the youngest children and ask well-posed questions to support older children's critical-thinking skills. Children make good progress in their learning.  The key-person system is very well established and effective. Settling-in arrangements and transitions to the next rooms are well planned and facilitated according to the individual needs of the child. This helps children to grow in confidence and feel secure.  Staff form effective partnerships with agencies and other professionals. They work

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This provision is good

closely together to provide consistent care and support for children. This is especially evident for those children who have special educational needs. Advice received is threaded effectively into planning and ensures children receive a consistent approach from all adults working with them.  Staff work closely with parents, who are complimentary about the nursery and staff team. There is a good two-way flow of communication and information sharing, supporting continuity in children's care and learning needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 There is scope to enhance the monitoring of the progress children make over time that promotes their learning even further.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 enhance systems that monitor the progress children make over time and help raise their learning to the highest level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning, both inside and outside.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager of the nursery.  The inspector spoke to members of staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection and held a meeting with the provider and manager of the nursery.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's records, planning documentation, evidence of the suitability of staff and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The manager and staff have a good understanding of the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. They receive regular safeguarding training to support them in their roles. Robust recruitment, induction and vetting procedures are in place to help ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Risks are identified and minimised effectively so that children can play in a safe environment. Staff receive support and guidance from the management team as they participate in meetings, supervision and appraisals. Staff are encouraged to undertake regular training to maintain their teaching skills. Additional funding is used successfully to support children to achieve their full potential.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are well qualified and, overall, accurately assess children's achievements. They use their good knowledge of the children, along with information from parents, to inform planning. This helps children reach the next steps in their learning. Staff help babies develop their curiosity and explore the world around them. For example, they encourage them to explore cause and effect through a range of different mechanical toys. They quickly learn how to work the mechanisms and delight in the results of their explorations. Staff set challenges for children as they explore their number skills. For example, they encourage children to match numbers and find the corresponding tubes during a mathematics activity. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported well by staff. They develop a good level of English and have opportunities to play and learn using their home language.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff create a warm and welcoming nursery environment. Children confidently enter the nursery and are quick to settle in and begin play. The impact of the nursery's focus on the social and emotional development of children is evident. Children are polite and friendly and follow the rules and routine of the day. They respond positively to staff's behaviour management, which is implemented effectively and consistently. Children are well supported in their physical and emotional well-being. They learn about different health- related topics, such as the importance of brushing teeth, during national health initiatives. Children use their risk assessment skills well. They use the range of large construction blocks and other balancing equipment during play outdoors. Children investigate and use their skills to mount and dismount safely.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress, including funded children, those who speak English as an additional language and those who have special educational needs. Staff promote equality and diversity well and children enjoy activities based around cultural festivals. Children are confident, motivated learners. They are keen to join in and show good levels of engagement as they play. Children develop the necessary skills that they need in preparation for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 317389 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 1059568 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 66 Number of children on roll 90 Name of registered person Munchkins (Carlisle) Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 10 December 2012 Telephone number 01228 592099

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reference number

Munchkins Nursery was registered in 1996. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs 13 members of staff. All staff hold an appropriate early years qualification, including the manager, who is qualified to level 4. The nursery supports children who speak English as an additional language and those who have special educational needs.

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reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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